Dear Readers,
I chose to create a ‘Request for Proposal’ (or RFP) as my document. Companies, or owners, send out this type of document to general contractors when they have construction work to be done and they want a formal proposal for the work. For example, when Northeastern wanted to build the new dormitory, they sent out a
Request for Proposal to different general contractors. Those contractors then reviewed the information Northeastern sent them, and created a proposal for the new dorm. RFPs vary in the amount of information they have. Some can have hundreds of pages of specifications and drawings while others can have a few sketches and pages of instructions. Usually the RFPs are sent by email, but they can also be sent via regular postal services.
This RFP is based off of a student group I am in called Steel Bridge. This group designs and manufactures a small scale steel bridge that is then taken to competition. The competition is based of off a set of rules that are used nationally and can be found at http://aisc.org/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=21576 . The competition is run by American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and American
Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). I am writing the RFP as if I am a company looking for someone to create a construction proposal for the bridge. This year the bridge rules are centered on building in a made up country, Kuprica, which has a river in need of a bridge.
The RFP is meant to clearly explain the problem that needs to be fixed with new construction. So in this case, explain why the President of Kuprica needs a Bridge and what his specification are. It is also meant to clarify the layout of the proposal and what exact documents should be included in the proposal. ASCE and AISC treat the rules and pre-competition like the actual proposal process, so their rules are very strict and clear. This RFP is being sent to the ASCE student groups around New
England who are planning to compete. All of these groups work to design and build their bridge just as general contractors would work to design and plan the complete construction of a bridge.

Original Email Correspondence
From: ASCE President, F. Hatfield, D. Sepulveda, N. Gavlin
Sent: September 1, 2014
To: NUASCE Steel Bridge
Cc: President of Kuprica; MITASCE Steel Bridge; UMass AmherstASCE Steel Bridge;
WentworthASCE Steel Bridge; TuftsASCE Steel Bridge; UMass LowelASCE Steel
Bridge; UConnASCE Steel Bridge;
Subject: Steel Bridge Competition 2014- Request for Proposal for Design and
Construction Management
NUASCE Steel Bridge Team,
Please find attached the invitation to submit bids, bid form, and design for the Nogo
River Bridge. This project is with the President of a small country called Kuprica.
The link for the access to the bid documents is given in the RFP, as well as important dates and instructions for submitting questions. Please acknowledge receipt of the
RFP bid from, bid documents, and design documents by replying to this email.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you do not plan to bid this project. There will be a pre-bid meeting on April 10 th at 12:00 PM, in the Civil Engineering
Department Conference room of Merrimack College, MA.
Thank you,
ASCE and AISC Steel Bridge Committee

AISC and ASCE
Request for Proposal: Design and Construction Management Services – Nogo
River Bridge, Kupirca
September 1, 2014
Overview and Key Elements:
AISC, ASCE, and the President of Kuprica are seeking proposals for Design and
Construction for the Nogo River Bridge. The Nogo River bisects the country and is only accessible by trails that are blocked during the rainy season. The bridge will be used for ox carts to pass between the farm villages and the capital city, H’sogo. The design should include the overall bridge as well as connection details and footings.
The construction will include prefabrication, transportation, bridge set up and erection, and final testing.
It is preferred that trails surrounding the site will be kept open to the public throughout the project. Accelerated Bridge Construction is essential to completing the project before the rainy season and as soon as possible for the citizens of
Kupirca.
Basis of bid are the bid documents dated August 20, 2014, by F. Hatfield and N.
Gavlin. On-line access to download the Bid Documents Set is as follows:
Specifications and Sketches: http://aisc.org/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=21576
There will be a pre-bid meeting on April 10 th at 12:00 PM, in the Civil Engineering
Department Conference room of Merrimack College. Before submitting their proposal, all bidders shall visit the site and fully acquaint themselves with the existing conditions.
Three (3) copies of your proposal will be delivered by 5:00 PM on April 11, 2014 to the ASCE President of Merrimack College, 315 Turpike Street, North Andover, MA
01845, to the attention of ASCE President. Electronic copies should be sent concurrently to ascesteelbridge@asce.org
. Receipt of electronic copies by the due date is acceptable to qualify as received on time. We will be awarding the project by end of business day April 12, 2014.
The Sonaprin Foundation will be funding the project. They have recommended a bridge solely designed of steel to minimize weight of materials that will be

transported and erected. Steel is also durable and has simple maintenance procedures, which will make the construction process simpler. Due to a deep layer of organic soil we are unable to allow you to construct or use piers in the river and surrounding floodplain. But, the bridge design does not need to include footings, deck panels, or causeway because local crews will construct these elements to ensure they match bridges in the area. You have been chosen by AISC, ASCE, The
President of Kupicra, and Sonarpin Foundation to submit an Accelerated Bridge
Construction proposal and you are among many peers who were also chosen.
Consultants from each area will review your proposal and will judge on multiple criteria including durability, constructability, usability, constructability, stiffness, construction speed, efficiency, and economy. The contract will be awarded to the company whose design and proposal satisfies the specified requirements and achieves the project objectives. If a contractor in any way attempts to gain advantages by circumventing the intent of the job they will be rejected and the company’s eligibility will be terminated.
Safety
Safety is the first priority; risk of personal injury will not be tolerated. Hazardous conditions and actions may result in dismissal of proposal. The public officers of the area will enforce safety regulations. Every contractor is expected to comply with the safety rules set by AISC and ASCE, and to complete a submittal for their own safety program.
Selection Criteria
The contractor will be chosen based of off an overview of the design and construction plan. The lowest bidder will by no means necessarily be awarded. The categories that the design and plan will be judged on are as follows: display, construction speed, lightness, stiffness, construction economy, and structural efficiency.
Display
The display will be not only based of off the general bridge design but appearance, proportions, elegance, and finish of the bridge will also be factored in.
The team name must be permanently identified on the bridge.
Construction Speed
The contactor must submit a detailed schedule. The contractor will be held accountable for this schedule and must complete the bridge in the allotted time.

Lightness
The design of the bridge must factor in total weight. The lightest bridge will be the easiest to transport to Kupicra and will therefore be more economical in the overall construction. The proposal must include an overall weight of steel and a budgeted price.
Stiffness
The steel must be tested for aggregate deflection and if it does not meet the
ASCE and AISC standards it will be disqualified.
Construction Economy
We will determine the contractors design and construction plan’s construction economy via an equation. Total construction time, number of subcontractors and workers, and testing results will all be factored into the economy rating.
Structural Efficiency
We will determine the contractors design and construction plan’s structural efficiency via an equation. Total weight, deflection, and testing results will all be factored into the economy rating.
Proposal and Format
Provide an analysis of staffing requirements and include any overlap of current or future commitments. Please present an organization chart, resumes, and responsibilities of key people who will be assigned to this project.
 The organization chart should clearly depict the relationships and levels of responsibilities of the team members
 The resumes of key people should include duties proposed for the project, relevant experience, and availability for the project.
Demonstrate your familiarity and understanding of the project. Emphasis should be on design, management, and coordination. Include examples which portray projects that have saved money and time.
Questions and Requests for Information
All questions should be submitted via email to ascesteelbridge@asce.org
. The

questions and answered will be shared with other bidders. The final day for questions is April 1, 2014.
Withdrawal of Bids
Bids may be withdrawn any time prior to March 1, 2014. Bids may not be withdrawn after April 12, 2015.
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Sketches: